DA allots P10M for Bicol livelihood projects

Written by Analiza S. Macatangay | 15 May 2012

PILI, CAMARINES SUR  -- The Department of Agriculture has allotted P10 million for livelihood projects of the fisheries sector in the region.

The funds will be distributed among eleven fisherfolks' organizations in the region, nine local government units and one university from the province of Camarines Norte.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) V regional director Dennis Del Socorro said that the livelihood projects will be concentrated on mangrove propagation in the various coastlines in the region, construction of fish cages with ten units of bottom set gillnets, four units of engines for motorized banca, two units of fishing vessel and three sets of bamboo fish cages.

Certificate of awards were also awarded to the fisherfolk recipients of Camarines Norte, including the awarding of Aquasilvi culture project, mangrove rehabilitation project, seaweeds input assistance and various fishing paraphernalia. A community-based multi species hatchery project was also awarded to Camarines Norte State College (CNSC).

Fishing paraphernalia which include ten bottom set gill nets, four units of marine engine, two units of motorized banca and three units of fish cage net were also raffled off.

Aside from the said projects, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala also distributed ten goats to selected fishermen and one module of sheep composed of three (3) females sheep or ewe and one ram for additional source of livelihood.

During his Bicol visit, Alcala also took time to listen to the local government officials and fisherfolks’ concern regarding the services and programs of BFAR and DA. The fruitful exchange of thoughts aims to solicit the real condition of the agriculture sector in the country.

The said visit is also in line with the month long celebration of the Farmer’s and Fisherfolk’s month with the theme “Sapat na Pagkain, Sama Sama Nating Kamtin.”

Alcala is determined to bring into fore the various services of the national government while it steadfastly focuses its efforts to attain self sufficiency in rice, along with other major stables before the end of 2013. (MAL/LSM-PIA Camarines Sur)